"Disabled athlete speaks of obstacles"

Whenever the word athlete comes to mind, I think of a tall, strong, intimidating, and self-disciplined person. For example, Kobe Bryant, Peyton Manning, and David Beckham all fit the criteria for an athlete. But, the image of a man sitting in a wheel chair never crosses my mind.

I have been playing sports for my entire life. I have learned that the amount of effort you put into a sport will determine your success. When you're an athlete you have been taught by coaches and team mates that you must always give 110% during any practice, match, or game. Through hard work and training, you will see results. Rohan Murphy fits the description of an amazing athlete. But, there is one thing that makes Rohan different than many other athletes because he was born with his kneecaps on the opposite legs.

This article gives inspiration for athletes everywhere. His disability is rare, but the fact that he overcame this obstacle is even rarer. I honestly cannot imagine being handicapped, let alone coping with your disability and then making an all-county team for wrestling. He started out as the team manager for soccer and wrestling in high school, he took a chance and became a wrestler instead of a manager.  Throughout his life, he struggled with his disability but he never gave up. That is the true definition of an athlete, failing over and over again until you succeed.

This article has changed my perception of an athlete. Some people are born with coordination which makes them proficient in sports. Others, like Murphy, are born without things that we take for granted each day, in his case, legs. He is a true example of an athlete and his story is uplifting. Murphy says that Mother Nature just dealt him a bad hand. Well, Murphy took his "2-7" hand and turned it into a royal flush. He triumphed.

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2011/01/13/Rohan_Murphy.aspx